Steve Sparks, 72, Loses His Battle With Cancer in Texas

By Steve LaMontia, Director of
Communications

On May 9th of this year we
posted a story about lifelong Cleveland Indians fan Steve Sparks from the Houston Hardball League, who was also a many time MSBL World Series veteran and
known by many around the country. Steve
was one tough Texan who was diagnosed with cancer late last year yet kept his
spirits up with a hope for a return to the field and the ability to play again
alongside his compatriots in Houston. It
is with deep regret that I inform you that Steve lost his battle with cancer on
June 8th. Below is Steve’s
obituary along with some comments from his closest friends:

Steven D. Sparks, 72, of Spring, Tx passed away Thursday morning, June
8th, 2017. At the time of death he was residing at Vitas Healthcare Inpatient
Hospice in Shenandoah, Tx. Steve was
born on January 26, 1945 in New York City to Charles and Jean Sparks. He later
moved to Metairie, LA and then finished High School in Connecticut. He attended
college in Defiance, OH before transferring to the University of Houston.

He served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971, including tours in
Thailand and Saigon. He attained the rank of Specialist Six and, after
receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, finished out his tour of duty in
Hawaii. He held positions at Leopold, Price, and Rolle, Browning Ferris
Industries, and retired from CBRE in 2015. He was a proud member of the Men's
Senior Baseball League since 1992 and played until November of 2016.

He is survived by his wife Kaye Sparks, his children Mark Hayes and his wife
Ashley, Kandice Kaye, and Justin Sparks and his wife Christine, his
grandchildren Kennedy and Haley Hayes, Jakob Guerrero, and Hunter Sparks, first
wife Gail Hood, his brother Paul Sparks and his wife Linda and their children
Frank and Kim Sparks, and his cat Norma Jean. He is preceded in death by his
parents Charles Paul Sparks and Thedis Jean Sparks. Donations may be given to Vitas Healthcare or
Cancers of America in his name.

"The Indians win it…Oh My God the Indians Win It!" – Major
League

Here are a few comments from his closest friends and teammates:

"I came back to baseball after being
out for nearly 3 years. First game back, I was walking past the opponents’
dugout, and Steve piped up, "Hi Warren, welcome back!” 3 things: One, he
remembered my name, and he wasn’t even on my team! How did he do that? Two, he
noticed I had been out and was concerned as to why. Three, he made me feel
welcome. He cared and he made me feel glad I came back. He personified what our
league is all about when we are at our best.”

"Yes, it’s a sad day but let’s also
celebrate Steve as a great guy,a great friend and a great ballplayer
who’s now starting at first base for one of the teams in the GSBL
(God’s Senior Baseball League).”

"Even though we all knew Steve was
in an enormous battle, it is still a huge shock. He was an amazing guy, amazing
man of Baseball. A true Baseball Player. Great team player, and had a love for
the true game of baseball, the way it was intended. A true gentleman playing a
gentleman’s game, with class and camaraderie. I will miss him. We will all miss
him. Baseball will miss him. But we will always remember Steve Sparks. A
great friend.”

To read Steve’s complete story from
May 9th click on his locker room picture above.

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